Using non-destructive testing to monitor concrete infrastructure

Posted on May 4, 2018

Between the moments when concrete starts to degrade and when the degradation becomes visible, the cost of repairs increases enormously.

Our researchers, led by Dr Massoud Sofi, a research fellow at the Department of Infrastructure Engineering at The University of Melbourne, have developed a diagnostic testing method capable of determining the state and rate of degradation in concrete structures, which can be used to schedule repairs, optimising value and safety.

The scope and accuracy of the testing method is made possible by synthesising data collected using four non-destructive testing (NDT) instruments. Those instruments are the Silver Schmidt hammer, a profometer, a resistivity meter, and the Torrent permeability tester.

Ultimately, data from the resistivity meter and Torrent permeability tester combined allows for accurate projections of corrosion propagation, and thus of the service life of the structure.

The Australia-Indonesia Centre was established by the Australian Government in late 2013 to facilitate research-driven innovation and build stronger relationships between Australia and Indonesia. The Centre, hosted by Monash University, is a collaboration between Monash University, the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney, working with seven leading Indonesian universities.